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 Both
of the sacred testaments begin with the genealogy of Jesus. In
Matthew 1 the genealogy of Christ is given three times and
emphasis is put on Abraham, David and Jesus. The genealogy of
the Messiah is the unifying theme in the book of Genesis.
God selected a line through whom His Son would come. Genesis
gives the account of this lineage from Adam to the sons of
Jacob. Emphasis and discussion are centered around seven
generations. Jesus is the son of Adam, the son of God (Gen.
1-3). He is the son of Seth (4-8), the son of Shem (9-11:26),
the son of Abraham (11:27-25:11), the son of Isaac (15-27), the
son of Jacob (25:19-33, 36), the son of Judah (34- 35, 37-50).
If
the Messiah was to be man He would be a descendent of Adam. But
Adam had two sons. Cain slays righteous Abel, and Cain’s line
is characterized by wickedness. Seth is born to replace Abel,
and his line is characterized as righteous. General
intermarriage occurs between the lines, resulting in corruption.
Noah is a direct descendant of Seth, and corruption is not found
in his life. The flood is the final rejection of Cain and all
those corrupted through the intermarriage of the lines. Only
Seth (Noah) comes out of the flood.
Selection
and rejection occur as this “genealogy” is passed from
generation to generation. This is an important feature in
understanding the book of Genesis. After the flood Ham (Canaan)
and Japheth are refused, as Shem is chosen. Terah is a direct
descendant of Shem. His son Abram is chosen, while Haran (Lot)
and Nahor (Laban) are rejected. The genealogy next passes
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to Isaac, while Eliezer, Ishmael and
the sons of Keturah are rejected. God chose Jacob and rejected
Esau (Rom. 9:10-13). This selection and rejection extended to
the nations that came from these individuals (Mal. 1:2-5). It is
the genetics of the Jew-Gentile distinction, and helps one to
understand Israel’s struggle with the nations.
Chapter
34 begins the section that deals with genealogy among the sons
of Jacob. Simeon and Levi are rejected because of their wrath
(34). Rueben is rejected because of fornication (35). This
leaves the genealogy to pass to Judah, the next oldest son (Gen.
49:1-12; 1 Chron. 5:1-2). Joseph, the preserver of life, got the
birthright. The genealogy was the more important of the two
blessings, and it is the subject to watch in the book. A
potential power struggle between Joseph and Judah became a real
power struggle among their descendants as Israel (Ephraim)
divided from Judah. God had chosen Judah (Ps. 78:67-72). Through
Judah the prince was to come. Jehovah’s sanctuary was in
Judah. The Davidic kings were of the tribe of Judah. In Israel
were the usurpers and the centers of false worship.
What
Genesis discusses in relation to individuals the rest of the Old
Testament discusses in relation to nations. Genesis contains the
“first principles” of Old Testament history. Beyond this,
Genesis points to the Messiah who would reconcile Jew and
Gentile to God in one body, and have a legitimate right to the
throne of David over a united spiritual kingdom.
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